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Police are investigating the death of a man who was gunned down in front of his home in Upper Chichester. (Published Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013)

Police are searching for the gunman who shot and killed a 35-year-old Delaware County man in front of his home.

It happened on the 2600 block of Williams Street shortly before 10 p.m. Saturday in Upper Chichester. Police say Brian West, the father of a young girl, was gunned downed in front of a home he was renting from a brother who is away on active duty in Iraq.

"I heard a weapon go off," said West's neighbor Fred Hamilton. "I came out, heard people screaming and found him laying on his front porch."

"He was killed by some type of handgun," said Upper Chichester Police Chief Thomas Bush. "The caliber hasn't been determined yet. We're still waiting for the autopsy."

Police towed away a red SUV for evidence. No arrests have been made.

"He was so loving," said one of West's relatives while in tears. "He was a very kind man."

The last murder to take place in Upper Chichester was 40 years ago. NBC10's Monique Braxton spoke to Upper Chichester Police Commissioner Nicole Whitaker.

"Would you consider this a hit on him?" asked Braxton.

"Could be," replied Commissioner Whitaker. "We haven't had this type of violence in the community. So this would definitely be a first for us."